1971 Lotus Europa

I am second owner, owned for 48 years.  Full frame-off, meticulous restoration in1980's, intended to be my ‘forever' car so no expense was spared or detail overlooked.  First Place at Empire Car Club 1984; First Place Europa at LOG IV 1984,  First Place at New Hope PA 1985; First Place Europa at LOG VI 1986; First Place Europa and Best in Show at LOG VIII 1988.

 I performed incidental repairs and updates along the way, but with the overall goal of keeping this Europa as original as possible.  It is a rare unmolested example with only a few concessions for aesthetics or performance. Kept covered in climate-controlled garage.  Odometer reset to 0 during restoration at ~82,000miles since every part that could wear was either replaced or rebuilt. I've driven it 5,000 miles since.

 Restoration/features included:

1.      Full engine rebuild (new pistons, liners, cam, valves, oil pump, water pump, seals, gaskets, etc., blueprinted, balanced, andported)

2.      New clutch, throwout bearing and pressure plate and transmission seals

3.      Frame sandblasted and coated in 2-part Imron paint. 

4.      All bushings, hoses and belts replaced

5.      All chrome replaced or rechromed

6.      Dash stripped, re-lettered and refinished

7.      All electric motors (windows, fans, wiper)rebuilt with new brushes and turned commutators

8.      All stress cracks in body painstakingly ground down and filled with glass then the body was flipped over and all repaired areas were reinforced with 2 layers of fiberglass from underneath. Old paint stripped before respray in Lotus Olympic Blue

9.      Koni shocks all around

10.  Ride height adjusted to correct the infamous nose high attitude

11.  Adjustable lower links with a set of spare original links

12.  New tool kit bag with original tools repainted to stock color

13.  Cibie Z beam headlights (includes LED conversion headlights never installed) 

14.  Alarm system (Ungo Box) with provision for video camera in nose

15.  Concealed switches under center armrest, ala James Bond's DB5

16.  Concealed switch in shift knob, activated by pressing down on FOB (can activate video camera or optional forward-firingmachine guns).

17.  Spare wires running front to back concealed in wire harness

18.  Aftermarket (i.e. louder) horn

19.  Stebro exhaust

20.  Adjustable “otter” switch on radiator fan

21.  Blaupunkt vintage cassette player with external amp and Infinity door speakers

22.  Halon fire extinguisher in driver's foot well

23.  Aluminum radiator (housing painted black to retain look of original)

24.  Twin cam sills to clean up unsightly bolts under doors

25.  Seats stripped and reupholstered in original vinyl obtained from UK in the 80's

26.  New seatbelt webbing and seat belt hardware re-chromed

27.  All new carpet with protective rubber mats (only removed during car shows)

28.  New door liners

29.  New door seals

30.  Headliner installed with closed cell EVA foam(non-deteriorating)

31.  Pertronix ignition (original ignition parts included)

32.  Aluminum heat shield installed under trunk

33.  Nutserts installed in rear suspension cross-brace to ease removal of trunk

34.  Stainless steel seat belt brackets (the ones way up inside the body)

35.  Brass or Oilite (can't remember which) door hinge pins

36.  Weber downdraft carburetor hidden under stock air filter housing (Solex carburetor included)

37.  Wheels spin balanced on car

38.  Gas tank blasted, repainted and re-stenciled to match factory original finish

39.  Braided stainless steel fuel lines

40.  Battery cutoff switch

Things I haven't got around to or that don't bother me:

Master cylinder servo cap could be repaired or replaced (brakefail light stays on), foam in sun visors has deteriorated, some delamination of windscreen, paint blemish and stress cracks on left front fender and passenger door jam.  Minor nicks and scratches here and there. 

Included with car:

Custom indoor car cover, Lotus service and parts manuals, and my scrupulous notes on all work done to car and measurements taken over the years.  Spare parts include: set of rear wheel bearings and u-joints, window motor assemblies, brake parts, hub cap, set of lower links, windshield trim in chrome plastic and new corner clips, door hinge tool, trickle charger, poster-sized color wiring diagram (laminated),  LED headlights, original Solex carburetor, door hinge adjusting tool, and more.

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